When Prime Minister Meles Zenawi called the attempt by Western embassies in Addis Abeba to pressure him to release CUD leaders in jail an act of "shamefulness", it was hardly a slip of a tongue, gossip understands. Nor was it understood at the gossip corridor as his desire to settle an old account of almost two years. Something must be going on underneath the surface to have prompted his "harsh and provocative" statement two weeks ago, appearing before Parliament.

The fact that Western powers, more so the Europeans, were trying to use whatever leverage at their disposal to secure the release of CUD leaders is an old story. It is something they have been asking him since the first arrest in November 2005. As much has also been clear of the Prime Minister's and his government's positions: they will not tamper with the judicial process, no matter what the outcomes will be, whether the West wants to play with either stick or carrot, according to gossip.

Gossip always maintains that the concept of the rule of law is a formidable challenge Meles has been using against these Western powers, who insist on a political resolution of the matter. Nonetheless, there is a great deal of consensus at the gossip corridor that there will be some form of arrangement to secure the release of CUD leaders, although it will only be after they have been served their sentences. What would follow is a presidential pardon, as once granted by the President in office to over 200 inmates about a year ago.

Appeals made by the prosecution on their life does not necessarily mean the judges will pass such sentences, hope many at the gossip corridor.

Equating the word "shameful" to Western embassies is a bit too general to indicate where specifically the Prime Minister's wrath lies. For too long now, the Americans have an entirely different approach in handling their affairs with this government when compared with the Europeans; the latter were sometimes unable to contain their open hostilities. Ambassadors representing countries such as Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands - although not limited to them by any means - did not find their efforts to mend rocky relationships since the latest national elections easy, gossip observed.  

It has been different with the Americans. For them, quiet diplomacy, where they fight their differences out in private but stand behind the government in public, is a wise approach, claims gossip. And they have a whole lot of differences and some of which drive their senior diplomats nuts. The Americans’ desire to see the CUD leaders out from jail was never a secret, though. In fact, they have always been behind the mediation effort spearheaded by Ephrem Isaac & Co, claims gossip.

Does this amount to their being bundled in the "axis of the shameful", wonders gossip? Is there an understanding between the Prime Minister and US diplomats in Addis that they are spared of his public fury? Would it be surprising if there are those at the gossip corridor who argue for the need for the Prime Minister to do clarifications in private in order to clear the dust up?